U.S. patent number 9,371,136 [Application Number 14/168,247] was granted by the patent office on 2016-06-21 for toilets with improved removability for passenger transport vehicles.
This patent grant is currently assigned to MAG Aerospace Industries, LLC. The grantee listed for this patent is MAG Aerospace Industries, Inc.. Invention is credited to David A. Beach, Howard C. B. Kuhns, Robert G. Ratliff.
United States Patent |
9,371,136 |
Beach , et al. |
June 21, 2016 |
Toilets with improved removability for passenger transport
vehicles
Abstract
Embodiments described herein relate to quick release toilet
concepts, which can be useful particularly on-board aircraft and
other passenger transport vehicles. Further specific embodiments
relate to a quick release rinse valve, a quick release flush valve,
an integrated rinse ring, a replaceable toilet bowl, an integrated
anti-siphon/rinse valve, and improved flush valve performance.
Inventors: |
Beach; David A. (Seal Beach,
CA), Ratliff; Robert G. (Buena Park, CA), Kuhns; Howard
C. B. (Long Beach, CA) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
MAG Aerospace Industries, Inc. |
Carson |
CA |
US |
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Assignee: |
MAG Aerospace Industries, LLC
(Carson, CA)
|
Family
ID: |
50116174 |
Appl.
No.: |
14/168,247 |
Filed: |
January 30, 2014 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20140208498 A1 |
Jul 31, 2014 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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61758483 |
Jan 30, 2013 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E03D
11/17 (20130101); E03F 1/006 (20130101); E03D
5/00 (20130101); B64D 11/02 (20130101); E03D
11/02 (20130101); E03D 2201/40 (20130101); Y02T
50/40 (20130101); Y02T 50/46 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B64D
11/02 (20060101); E03D 11/17 (20060101); E03D
5/00 (20060101); E03D 11/02 (20060101); E03F
1/00 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;4/435,431,321,252.1 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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4201986 |
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Apr 1993 |
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DE |
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202004019425 |
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Apr 2005 |
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DE |
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2248858 |
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Apr 1992 |
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GB |
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Other References
PCT/US2014/013761, International Search Report and Written Opinion
dated May 2, 2014, 13 pages. cited by applicant .
International Patent Application No. PCT/US2014/013761,
International Preliminary Report on Patentability dated Aug. 13,
2015. cited by applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Le; Huyen
Assistant Examiner: Skubinna; Christine
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton
LLP Russell; Dean W. Crall; Kristin M.
Parent Case Text
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application
Ser. No. 61/758,483, filed Jan. 30, 2013, titled "Toilet Concept,"
the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A toilet system for use on-board a passenger aircraft, the
system comprising: (a) a toilet frame comprising a bowl receiving
opening, a flush body receiving opening, and a rinse ring valve
bracket; (b) a quick release rinse ring and valve system comprising
(i) a rinse ring that is securable to and removable from an upper
surface of the toilet frame via a quick release securement system,
the rinse ring further comprising a valve attachment, and (ii) a
rinse valve having a first end receivable by the valve attachment
of the rinse ring and a second end receivable by the rinse ring
valve bracket of the toilet frame; (c) a quick release flush valve
system comprising a flush valve body receivable by the flush body
receiving opening of the toilet frame to extend therethrough, the
flush valve body configured to be fluidly connected to a waste
outlet of a toilet bowl via a quick connection feature; and (d) a
removable toilet bowl configured to be received by the bowl
receiving opening of the toilet frame and secured in place via
placement of the quick release ring and valve system.
2. The toilet system of claim 1, wherein the valve attachment
supports an anti-siphon valve.
3. The toilet system of claim 1, wherein the valve attachment
supports a lower outlet that cooperates with the first end of the
rinse valve.
4. The toilet system of claim 1, wherein the quick release rinse
ring and valve system further comprises an integrated rinse valve
and anti-siphon valve.
5. The toilet system of claim 1, wherein the quick release rinse
ring and valve system further comprises a system to maintain a
distance between an upper surface of the rinse ring and the upper
surface of the toilet frame.
6. The toilet system of claim 1, wherein the securement system
comprises a series of bands and protrusions, wherein the bands
stretch around the protrusions to maintain the rinse ring in
place.
7. The toilet system of claim 6, wherein the bands are elastomeric
bands.
8. The toilet system of claim 1, wherein the securement system
comprises a hinge system such that the rinse ring rotates away from
the upper surface of the toilet frame.
9. The toilet system of claim 1, wherein the quick connection
feature of the quick release flush valve system comprises an
actuation handle and a securement pin.
10. The toilet system of claim 1, wherein the actuation handle is
positioned near a waste outlet of the toilet bowl, wherein the
securement pin is positioned on a toilet bowl outlet connection arm
of the flush valve body, and wherein movement of the actuation
handle with respect to the securement pin compresses a seal to
maintain fluid connection.
11. The toilet system of claim 1, wherein the flush valve body
comprises a vacuum waste system connection arm and a toilet bowl
outlet connection arm.
12. The toilet system of claim 1, mounted on-board a passenger
transport vehicle.
13. The toilet system of claim 1, further comprising a protective
shroud covering the toilet system.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments described herein relate to toilet concepts for improved
removability of one or more components of the toilet system, which
can be particularly useful on-board aircraft and other passenger
transport vehicles. Further specific embodiments relate to a quick
release rinse valve, a quick release flush valve, an integrated
rinse ring, a replaceable toilet bowl, an integrated
anti-siphon/rinse valve, and improved flush valve performance.
BACKGROUND
Many types of passenger transport vehicles (such as aircraft,
ships, buses, trains, and any other passenger transport vehicles)
use vacuum toilets. A vacuum toilet system typically has a bowl for
receiving waste with an outlet that is connected to a vacuum sewer
line, which leads to a collection tank placed under at least
partial vacuum by a vacuum source. A discharge valve between the
bowl outlet and the vacuum sewer line controls and allows fluid
communication therebetween. When the discharge valve is opened,
waste in the bowl is transported through the sewer line to the
collection tank via a pressure differential. Vacuum toilets also
use a source of rinse fluid delivered by a rinse fluid ring or
dispenser and valve for introducing rinse fluid into the bowl. The
discharge flush valve, rinse valve, toilet frame, and toilet bowl
are typically provided together as an integral designed unit.
However, toilets for use on-board passenger transport vehicles
generally experience a very high service frequency, as there are
typically only a few toilets provided that are intended to service
hundreds of passengers. Existing toilets in the field are subject
to scratches from routine cleaning, which damages and wears the
non-stick coating on the toilet bowl. In order to restore the
non-stick coating, the airline typically has to remove the entire
toilet system (including the rinse ring, rinse valve, flush valve,
valve sealing point, anti-siphon valve/vacuum breaker, and other
components) from the aircraft in order to remove and replace just
the toilet bowl portion of the system. Thus, improvements for
removing and replacing vacuum toilets, as well as their components,
are provided herein.
BRIEF SUMMARY
Certain embodiments described herein provide quick release features
for toilets and their related components. These quick release
features find particular use in connection with vacuum toilets,
which may need to have various components of the toilet replaced
more often than typical residential or other commercial toilets. In
addition, maintenance on-board aircraft and other vehicles can be
particularly expensive in view of the downtime and lost revenue due
to reduced travel time of the vehicle. Accordingly, increased
flexibility for replacing worn or damaged parts is a critical
improvement to vehicle toilet systems. Nonetheless, although the
embodiments described herein find particular use on-board passenger
transport vehicles and the embodiments may be described with
specific reference to aircraft toilet systems, it should be
understood that the features may be translated to other industries
if appropriate.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows a side view of a prior art toilet system.
FIG. 2 shows a side perspective view of one embodiment of a toilet
system having improved removability of various components.
FIG. 3 shows a side perspective view of the toilet system of FIG. 2
with the rinse ring removed.
FIG. 4 shows a top perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a
toilet system.
FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of a removable rinse ring with an
integrated rinse valve/anti-siphon valve and a removable flush
valve system.
FIG. 6 shows a side perspective view of one embodiment of a quick
connection feature that may be used to secure a removable flush
valve body to a toilet waste outlet, with the quick connection
feature in an open position.
FIG. 7 shows a side perspective view of the quick connection
feature of FIG. 6 with the quick connection feature in a closed
position.
FIG. 8 shows a side cross sectional view of the quick connection
feature of FIG. 7.
FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of an integrated
rinse valve/anti-siphon valve.
FIG. 10 shows a side cross-sectional view of the integrated valve
of FIG. 9.
FIG. 11 shows a side perspective view of an alternate embodiment of
a removable rinse ring with the rinse ring in an upwardly hinged
position.
FIG. 12 shows a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 11 with the
rinse ring in a lowered position.
FIG. 13 shows a side view of an alternate embodiment for creating a
distance between a rinse nozzle of a rinse ring and a flood plane
of a toilet system.
FIG. 14 is a side cross-sectional view of one embodiment of an
improved flush valve.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and devices
for quickly disconnecting toilets and certain related toilet
components. For example, aircraft toilets and their various
components may need to be easily disconnected from the lavatory
space for maintenance or replacement. Rather than requiring
multiple bolts or screws that must be individually removed, the
present disclosure seeks to provide improved toilets and various
components with quick release functionality.
In one aspect, the toilet systems described herein allow for the
toilet bowl to be replaced on-board the aircraft, without having to
remove the entire toilet system. The replaceable toilet bowl is
secured in place by the structural frame of the toilet system, such
that the toilet bowl does not support structural load from the
toilet shroud if a passenger sits on the toilet. This allows the
toilet bowl to be manufactured from a more economical material,
such as various non-metallic materials. Further, both the toilet
bowl and the rinse assembly may be bypassed from the load path by
the frame structure, allowing the rinse components to be made of
more economical materials as well. The replaceable systems
described also allow removal and replacement of one or more
portions of the rinse ring system and/or the flush valve system.
The integrated structures described provide load transfer from the
rinse ring to the floor attachment through the structure.
Additionally, quick release of the toilets and/or the related
component equipment may be achieved in a reliable and robust
manner.
In order to provide a comparison of the new design to existing
toilet systems, FIG. 1 shows one example of a prior art toilet
system 10. This system 10 includes a toilet bowl 12 that is
integrated with a discharge valve 14, a rinse ring 16, an
anti-siphon valve/vacuum breaker 18, and a rinse valve 20. The
water flow path is shown by the arrows, and shows water flowing
from a water source into the rinse valve 20, past a valve sealing
point 22, and to the vacuum breaker 18. The vacuum breaker 18
prevents the water from being siphoned backward into the water
source. Once past the vacuum breaker 18, the water is delivered
into the toilet bowl 12 for flushing via the rinse ring 16. Waste
is drawn out of the toilet bowl 12 through the discharge valve 14
and delivered to a collection tank. One of the disadvantages of
this traditional system 10 is that if the toilet bowl 12 becomes
scratched or damaged or otherwise needs to be replaced, the entire
valving system also needs to be removed.
Referring now to FIGS. 2-8, there is provided an improved toilet
system 30 that has a quick release rinse ring and valve system 32.
The toilet system 30 may also have a quick release flush valve
system 90. As shown in FIG. 3, the quick release rinse ring and
valve system 32 includes a quick release rinse ring 34, a
securement system 36, an anti-siphon valve 38, and a rinse valve
40. The figures show the system 32 as generally being securable to
and removable from an upper surface 56 of a toilet frame 44.
Referring now to FIGS. 5-8, the quick release flush valve system 90
includes a flush valve body 92, a quick connection feature 94 with
an actuation handle 96, and one or more fasteners 98.
Quick Release Rinse Ring and Valve System
Referring first and more specifically to the quick release rinse
ring and valve system 32, FIG. 2 shows a rinse ring 34 of the
system 32 in position on the toilet frame 44, and FIG. 3 shows the
rinse ring 34 removed from the toilet frame 44. The rinse ring 34
is designed to be a separate component from the toilet frame 44 and
removable therefrom. The rinse ring 34 has a generally round body
that is similar in shape to the toilet opening 46 of the toilet
frame 44. The rinse ring 34 also features a securement system 36.
In one embodiment, the securement system may comprise securement
bands 50 that extend from the sides of the rinse ring 34.
Securement bands 50 may be elastic or elastomeric, such that they
stretch to cooperate with securement protrusions 52 on the toilet
frame 44, as shown in FIG. 2. One benefit of the securement system
shown and described is that it can be used without requiring extra
tools. A user can simply extend the bands 50 over the protrusions
52. It should be understood that other quick release options may be
possible and are considered within the scope of this invention,
such as a dove tail and slot configuration, a snap configuration, a
hinged configuration (as described below), as well as other
possibilities.
It should be understood that the locations of the securement bands
50 and protrusions 52 may be changed, such that the protrusions 52
are on the rinse ring 34 and the bands 50 are on the toilet frame
44. The bands 50 and protrusions 52 should be spaced so that they
provide a secure attachment between the rinse ring 34 and the
toilet frame 44 around the entirety of the rinse ring 34. For
example, three or four bands 50/protrusion 52 may be used to make
up the entire securement system 36.
As discussed above, it should also be understood that other
securement options are available and considered within the scope of
this disclosure. For example, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, an
alternate rinse ring 134 may be designed to articulate away from
the toilet frame 144, but to remain secured thereto via an
alternate securement system 136. This securement system 136 may be
provided via a hinge 138 positioned at the rear of the rinse ring
134 on the toilet frame 144. Such a hinge 138 (or similar
attachment mechanism) may be hooked or keyed, such as with a
partial hinge, to provide for more ready disassembly of rinse
assembly 134. This assist to attain further modularity and/or
access. In use, the rinse ring 134 may be rotated up in order to
allow the toilet bowl component 140 to be removed. This embodiment
may also provide tubing 142 that connects the rinse ring 134 to the
rinse valve 146, which acts to control water flow.
In any of the options provided, the rinse ring 34, 134 should
generally be spaced a distance 54 from the upper surface 56 of the
toilet frame opening 46. The Department of Public Health requires
such a distance, and in many instances, the distance should be one
inch or greater. The distance is generally provided in order to
create a physical separation and prevent cross contamination that
may otherwise occur between the fresh rinse water and the flood
plane of the toilet (defined as the upper part of the toilet bowl,
to which waste may rise in the event of a back-up that could cause
waste to reach the top of the toilet bowl). Providing the rinse
ring 34, 134 at a position separated from the flood plane prevents
any waste back up from contacting the rinse ring and possibly
entering the potable water system. This separation distance is
shown as a vertical distance in FIGS. 11, 12 and 2, 4, but it be a
horizontal distance as shown in FIG. 13, described below.
As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, this distance 54 may be achieved by a
series of feet 148 that extend the general circumference of the
rinse ring 134. When the rinse ring 134 is positioned to rest
against the upper surface 56 toilet frame opening 46, the feet 148
abut the opening 46 in order to keep the required space 54 between
the fresh water inlet and any overflow waste at the flood
plane.
As shown in the alternate embodiment of FIG. 13, this separation
may be done horizontally. In this option, a series of rinse ring
nozzles 120 are positioned a horizontal distance 54 from each the
flood plane openings 122, along an outer surface of the toilet
bowl. In this option, the water delivered into the rinse ring exits
the nozzles 120 and enters the toilet bowl through the opening 122.
However, the openings 122 are scalloped, such that any waste
overflow will drain out of the opening, away from the nozzle
120.
As shown in FIGS. 2-4, this distance 54 may instead be achieved by
a series of ledge features 58 that are positioned along the outer
edge of the rinse ring 34. As shown in FIG. 3, ledge features 58
are shown as being a series of curvatures 60 with end feet 62 that
extend about half-way down the rinse ring 34. When the rinse ring
34 is positioned on the toilet frame 44, the feet 62 of the ledge
features 58 abut the frame 44 and create the desired distance 54
between the upper surface 56 of the frame 44 and the upper surface
64 of the rinse ring 34. As discussed, this physical, one inch
separation is required for cross connection prevention, as well as
for human safety. The space behind the ledge features 58 creates an
air gap. Providing an air gap as a part of the rinse ring 34
provides a controlled air inlet for flushing and for human safety
(in the event that a flush occurs while a passenger is sitting on
the toilet). (Similar air gaps are also provided for the other
embodiments described herein.) Such air gaps are also outlined and
described in co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 14/085,976,
titled "Toilet Concepts" and filed on Nov. 21, 2013.
Referring now to other features of the quick release rinse ring and
valve system 32, FIGS. 2 and 3 show a valve attachment 66 that
extends from a rear portion of the rinse ring 34. The valve
attachment 66 includes a stem 68 that supports an anti-siphon valve
38. The valve attachment 66 also has a lower outlet 70 that
cooperates with a rinse valve 40. The rinse valve 40 is cradled by
a bracket 72 at the rear of the pedestal 74 of the toilet frame 44.
The bracket 72 supports the rinse valve 40 and causes the rinse
valve 40 to be sandwiched between the bracket 72 and the lower
outlet 70 of the valve attachment 66. Retention of the rinse ring
34 also keeps the rinse valve 40 in place. For example, when the
rinse ring 34 is secured with respect to the toilet frame 44 with
the rinse valve 40 positioned between the lower outlet 70 and the
bracket 72, the securement system 36 maintains both the rinse ring
34 and the rinse valve 40 in place and attached to the toilet frame
44. The rinse valve 40 is sandwiched between the bracket 72 and the
rinse ring 34.
The rinse ring 34 may also have a tube receiving bracket 76, which
can be seen in more detail in FIG. 4. This bracket 76 is designed
to receive air inlet tube 78 of the discharge flush valve 90, as
shown in FIG. 2. This optional feature can assist with the proper
alignment of the rinse ring 34 with respect to the toilet frame
44.
Quick Release Flush Valve System
FIGS. 4-8 show embodiments of a quick release flush valve system
90. This feature may be used in connection with the above-described
quick release ring and valve system 32 (as shown in the figures),
or it may be provided as a separate feature. On existing toilets,
the flush valve is either a part of the toilet structure or mounted
by multiple screws, which requires physically removing the toilet
from the aircraft or other vehicle installation before the flush
valve may be removed from the toilet. The design described herein
provides a quick release flush valve system 90 to increase
maintainability of the toilet. This feature allows for a quick
release of the flush valve 90 in the event that a failure would
occur. The quick release flush valve system 90 can be removed from
the toilet pedestal 74 while the toilet frame 44 stays installed.
(The shroud that covers the entire assembled toilet will simply
need to be removed first.)
FIG. 5 shows the flush valve body 92 removed from the toilet frame
pedestal 74. More specifically, the toilet frame 44 generally
provides a toilet bowl receiving portion 100, a base 102 portion,
and a flush body receiving opening 104. A removable toilet bowl 106
with a waste outlet 108 can be received in the toilet bowl
receiving portion 100, such that the waste outlet 108 is accessible
through the flush body receiving opening 104. FIG. 6 shows the
removable toilet bowl 106 and the removable flush valve body 92 in
place. As shown, the flush valve body 92 has two connection arms.
One connection arm is a vacuum waste system connection arm 110, and
the other arm is a toilet bowl outlet connection arm 112.
FIG. 6 shows the toilet bowl connection arm 112 as it is being
connected to the toilet bowl waste outlet 108. The waste outlet 108
has a quick connection feature 94, which includes an actuation
handle 96 and securement pin 97. FIG. 6 shows the actuation handle
96 in an open position, as it is used to draw the toilet bowl
connection arm 112 and the waste outlet 108 to one another. FIG. 7
shows the actuation handle 96 in a closed position, pinched against
the securement pin 97. In this position, a seal 114 therebetween is
compressed in order to prevent any leakage of fluid, such as liquid
or air. FIG. 8 shows a side-view, illustrating the seal 114 as it
is compressed by the actuation handle 96, between the arm 112 and
the outlet 108. When the actuation handle 96 is released, the
compression on the seal 114 is released, and the flush valve body
92 may be removed from the toilet frame/pedestal 74, as shown in
FIG. 5.
The figures show the actuation handle 96 positioned near the end of
the toilet bowl waste outlet 108. The securement pin 97 may be
positioned on the connection arm 112 of the flush valve body 92,
such that an elbow of the actuation handle 96 secures against and
locks with respect to the pin 97. It should be understood, however,
that the actuation handle may be positioned on the flush valve body
92 and the securement pin 97 may be positioned at the toilet bowl
outlet 108.
Replaceable Toilet Bowl
Use of the two described systems 32 and 90 (the quick release ring
and valve system 32 and the quick release flush valve system 90)
together, allows for use of a removable toilet bowl 106. For
example, the rinse ring 34 may be removed, as shown in FIGS. 3 and
5, and the flush valve body 92 may also be removed, as shown in
FIG. 5. Removal of both components allow removal of the removable
toilet bowl 106. This can allow the toilet bowl 106 to be easily
removed and replaced without removing the entire toilet frame 44.
This can be beneficial because toilet bowls can become scratched,
the protective coating can become worn, or it may be desirable to
switch a particular toilet bowl for a lighter toilet bowl of a
different material (e.g., a non-metallic bowl) for added weight and
cost savings.
Referring back to FIG. 2, once the system is in an assembled
configuration, the vacuum waste system connection arm 110 of the
flush valve system 90 may be secured to the vehicle's vacuum waste
system. One example of such a connection is shown and described in
co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 14/085,976, titled "Toilet
Concepts" and filed on Nov. 21, 2013.
If a component of the rinse and valve system 32 needs to be
replaced, the rinse ring 34 may be removed as shown in FIG. 3. The
user would unsecure the securement system 36. (Note that a final
shroud will be positioned over the completed toilet assembly and
bolted or otherwise secured to the floor in order to cover the
quick release components. This adds a cleaner look to the toilet,
and it also prevents any unintended tampering with the quick
release features.) If, instead, a component of the flush valve
system 90 needs to be replaced, the flush valve body 92 may be
removed as shown in FIG. 5. The user would unsecure the actuation
handle 96 and then turn the one or more fasteners 98 a quarter
turn. (Fasteners are generally provided as 1/4 turn fasteners to
allow the flush valve to be removed and replaced quickly.) It the
entire toilet bowl 106 is to be replaced, the rinse ring 34 and the
flush valve body 90 may both be removed as shown in FIG. 5.
Integrated Rinse Ring
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the anti-siphon valve 38 may be secured
to or otherwise integrally formed with the rinse ring 34, such that
removal of the rinse ring 34 also causes removal of the anti-siphon
valve 38. The valve 38 may be integrally formed with the rinse ring
34 or it may be a separate component that is screwed onto the rear
of the rinse ring 34.
In an alternate embodiment, the rinse ring 134 may be integrated
into the toilet frame 144, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. In this
embodiment, the rinse ring 134 is hinged to the toilet frame
pedestal and does not require removal therefrom.
Integrated Anti-siphon/Rinse Valve
In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the anti-siphon valve 38
is positioned on the rinse ring 34, and the rinse valve 40 is
provided as a separate feature. In an alternate embodiment, the
rinse valve and the anti-siphon valve may be integrated into a
single integrated valve 150. An example of an integrated valve 150
in use is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Examples of a perspective view
and cross-sectional view of an integrated valve 150 are shown in
FIGS. 9 and 10. One benefit of this design is that movement of the
rinse ring does not require a break into the potable water system,
due to the collective movement of the rinse valve and the
anti-siphon valve. Once the break from the potable water (or other
rinse water) system has been made, the rinse ring can be disengaged
is one step, along with the integrated valve 150.
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the integrated valve 150 may be
positioned at a rear portion of the rinse ring 34. It has a first
connection point 152 that allows it to be in fluid cooperation with
the rinse ring 34. The valve 150 also has a second connection point
154, which allows it to be in fluid cooperation with tubing 156
that leads to a water source. The water source may be the potable
water source of the aircraft or vehicle, or it may direct cleaned
grey water that is to be re-used for toilet flushing purposes.
Examples of systems for grey water re-use that can be used with the
systems described herein are described in co-pending U.S.
Publication No. 2013/0305444 titled "Two-Stage Flush and Grey Water
Flush Systems and Devices;" in U.S. application Ser. No.
13/942,856, titled "Systems and Methods for Treating Grey Water
On-Board Passenger Transport Vehicles," filed on Jul. 16, 2013; and
in co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 14/081,089 titled "Mixed
Fluid Filtration System," filed on Nov. 15, 2013. Whichever form of
rinsing water that is to be delivered to the integrated valve 150,
it generally enters the valve through tubing 156 via the second
connection point 156.
Referring now to the integrated valve 150 cross-sectional view of
FIG. 10, the valve 150 has a lower portion 158 that constitutes the
rinse valve 160 and an upper portion 162 that constitutes the
anti-siphon valve 164. The rinse valve 160 has an outer spring
element 166 that abuts a valve head 168 in order cause movement of
the valve stem 170.
The anti-siphon valve 164 portion abuts the valve head 168 portion.
The anti-siphon valve 164 acts to prevent the rinse fluid that is
delivered through the rinse valve from re-entering the line. It
functions as a backflow device to keep any possibly contaminated
water from draining back into the rinse valve (and thus, the water
lines and/or water source). The arrows in FIG. 10 show the flow of
water. Water is delivered through the rinse valve 160 into the body
of the anti-siphon valve 164 and out through the first connection
point 152 of the valve 150.
Improved Flush Valve Performance
The flush valve body 92 itself may also be designed for improved
performance. Examples of some of the flush valve improvements that
may be incorporated into the systems described herein are provided
in co-pending U.S. Application Ser. No. 61/902,906 titled "Offset
Seal Concept," filed on Nov. 12, 2013. For example, the seal of the
flush valve may be provided as an offset seal design 180, as shown
in FIG. 14. A first seal 182 may be offset from a second seal. This
leading edge technology helps reduce waste migration into the flush
valve housing.
As shown in FIG. 14, the flush valve improvements may also include
o-ring seals 186 between the waste and the bearing 188. This
improvement provides sealed bearings. A shaft gear 190 is also
supported on both sides (double shear), as opposed to other gear
trains, which have support on only one side. This improved gear
support helps ensure improved flush functionality. Embodiments may
also feature environmentally sealed box 192 for the motor and
electronics. A further feature may be a vented cavity to prevent
waste ingress into the box 192. The motor used may be a brushless
DC motor 194, which helps improve reliability, efficiency and
position control.
Changes and modifications, additions and deletions may be made to
the structures and methods recited above and shown in the drawings
without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention and the
following claims.
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